“We are especially grateful to employees at Jefferson Healthcare and the Port Townsend paper mill for their support.”

Donations from the mill and Jefferson Healthcare account for more than one-quarter of UGN’s annual campaign, Russell said.

Other fundraisers last year included a summer appeal to specifically raise funds and awareness to address the issues of youth mental health and suicide, “which kind of bubbled up as a really imp issue for the community last year,” Russell said.

Community donations are also vital to support local nonprofits, and funds are welcome any time of the year. (Donate at weareugn.org or call 385-3797.)

UGN donation dollars help change lives, Russell said.

“In my own experience, ECHHO [a UGN-funded organization] has been a reliable safeguard against unspeakable alternatives,” stated Port Townsend Mayor Deborah Stinson in a press release. “Especially in those moments when thinking is distracted by crisis, the ready presence of ECHHO has provided answers when we could barely formulate the questions.

“Over the years, six members of my family have received needed equipment without hesitation. There is no third-party evaluation, no qualifying application, no waiting period or time limits, and in one case, the volunteer was there to assist late at night in the pouring rain,” Stinson said.

APPLICATIONS

UGN currently is accepting applications for funds from programs that provide emergency food, shelter and health care, and to those that provide preventive services, such as early childhood and youth programs.

Applications to receive UGN funding in 2017 are due by Feb. 15. Health and human services organizations serving Jefferson County clients are invited to apply.

First-time applicants are required to fill out a certification form to determine eligibility for funding. Certification forms are due on or before Jan. 16, 2017. Previously funded organizations are asked to update their basic organizational information with their application.

Application forms and information about the allocation process are available online at

weareugn.org. For additional information, call the UGN office at 385-3797.

Mary Neville was crowned queen of the 84th annual Rhododendron Festival, and Kaylee Krajewski and Ellienne Thornton were named princesses during the coronation ceremony Feb. 16 at Chimacum High School.